BIO: Maurice Samuel Gatewood was born in Washington DC on Christmas Day. Born into a musical family the lioness he called Mom was determined to expose him to the arts at an early age so violin studies began at five. Musical studies would continue through college, he would earn an undergraduate degree in violin performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and continue graduate studies at The University of Iowa and Catholic University. Maurice has had the opportunity to perform with orchestras, chamber ensembles and as soloist in such esteemed venues as The Kennedy Center, The Library of Congress, Strathmore Hall, The Meyerhoff, National Cathedral and Vatican City to name just a few. His performing career has allowed him to work with legendary performers; Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Richard Smallwood, Marin Alsop, Marvin Hamlisch and many others. International engagements have allowed him the opportunity to meet and perform for Pope John Paul II and Queen Noor of Jordan. Maurice is still very active as a professional freelance violinist in the Washington DC area and also works for a nationally recognized non-profit organization.
A love and talent for writing was also evident early on and continues to be a passion particularly in the realm of Fantasy and Science Fiction, genres where minorities have been underrepresented. A self- proclaimed “Bleek” (Black Geek) Maurice hopes to expand the image of people of color in the world of speculative fiction some notable influences include Octavia Butler, Samuel R. Delany, Dwayne McDuffie, Stephen Barnes, Barbara Neely, Iceberg Slim, Ovid, Homer, Edith Hamilton, and more recently Charles Saunders and Milton J. Davis. A fiercely intense and unapologetic introvert he is always seeking to express his inner feelings whether it be through music or the written word.
Maurice happily joined the Papi Chulo RADIO family as on-air personality in 2013 where he is anything but introverted but can be mildly apologetic at times. As a longtime comic book fan having the opportunity to discuss and “geek out” about comic related topics every week on air has been a dream come true! He currently co-hosts The Lyon’s Den: The Unofficial Empire Internet Radio Show. He previously co-hosted The S.H.I.E.L.D. Files: The Unofficial Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Internet Radio Show, The Star City Report: The Unofficial Arrow Internet Radio Show and The Central City Chronicle: The Unofficial The Flash Internet Radio Show.
ZODIAC SIGN: Capricorn
FAVORITE COLOR: Red
FAVORITE CURSE WORD: “Shit.”
FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS: Dr. Who, Scandal, Cosmos, Being Human UK, Being Human US, Misfits, Star Trek, Star Trek: DS9, Star Trek: TNG, Bewitched, Antiques Road Show, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Firefly, Torchwood, Luther, The Simpsons, Lost In Space, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Justice League Unlimited, Primeval UK
FAVORITE FILMS: Blade Runner, X2, Blade, Malcolm X, Serenity, The Avengers, Unbreakable, The Fifth Element, Fruitvale Station, 12 Years A Slave, Best Man Holiday, A Patch of Blue, Sordid Lives, Alien, Food Inc., Spirited Away, Dead Ringer, Four Little Girls, When The Levees Broke, School Daze
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS: Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie Mercury, Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, Linkin Park, Masters At Work, Stevie Wonder, Kaskade, The Emerson String Quartet, Prince, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, Leontyne Price, William Grant Still, Brahms, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Nathan Milstein
FAVORITE FOODS: Ethiopian, Thai, Caribbean, Middle Eastern Cuisine, Southern African American Cuisine